Almeria held Malaga to a 0-0 draw on Sunday in a tight first leg of Spain's second division play-off final.
Hosts Malaga created an impressive atmosphere before the game but could not carve out an advantage ahead of next Saturday's second leg in Almeria.
The winner will reach LaLiga next season along with second division champions Racing Santander and second place Deportivo La Coruna.
Almeria finished third and Malaga fourth, ousting Castellon and Las Palmas respectively in the play-off semifinals.